Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A/C does not come out panel, but out defroster?

Yeah when I turn on my A/C it only comes out my defroster along with every other setting that you put in on. For instance I put it on the floor and it comes out the defroster. This is really annoying, the A/C still does work but not as powerful as I thought it should be. Anyone else have this problems. Any advice would be greatley appreciated. Thanks!!

Chad

I had the exact same problem in my 1988 Tempo several years ago. A/C worked ok, but just wouldn't cool the cabin when aimed at the windshield. Turned out to be a $1.50 piece of plastic that had broken. It was responsible for directing, (perhaps also blending) all the heated/cooled air. Unfortunately, they had to drop the dash to fix it, something like 5.5 hours of labor and it ended up costing me at least a few hundred. Hope you make out better with your situation.

HTH,
Jay

You probably have a faulty blend door actuator. I'll have a look tonight in the service manual and see where its located. Hopefully it does not require removing the dash.

That problem sounds like it is from lack of vacuum in the system. If there is no vacuum reaching the main line into the vacuum distribution valve in the control head, the system defaults to defroster only for safety reasons. That way, the windshield can still be cleared if it fogs up. The main vacuum line is black. It probably has a kink somewhere.

4cylmys, could this problem come from the recall regarding the faulty dashboard swithing for the HVAC controls?

Last year, I only had high speed on my fan control and the recall campaign took care of it. I can't remember the recall or TSB #.

Anyway, I bet this may be it.

ZG

That program deals with the wiring for the blower switch and resistor pack. It is totally un-related to the vacuum-operated distribution doors.

Same problem here on my '95 SE. There is a dashpot under the dash in front of the driver's right knee that pushes a lever up and down to actuate the valves in the ventilation system and route the flow of air. This lever attaches to another lever via a plastic snap ring over a ball. On my contour, this snap does not fit well over the ball and frequently pops off. If you can locate this on your car (may be different location on a '98), you should be able to fix the problem. Hope this helps!

Thanks for everyones reply. I will at least have somethings to look for. Have a good one everyone!!!!

Chad

I have a same problem on my Contour GL 95 in Moscow.
When I turn on a/c(blower) on, it doesn't metter in which position (floor, panel or other), air is come into the cabin only through the openings near a windshield. I have try to understand why. I have find three vacuum dashpots which open three shutters (floor, panel and windshield). All of dashpots are connected with floppy pipes with electric-vacuum switch (middle switch on the panel)which turn on ventilator a/c and change the direction of airflow.
When I have disconnect this switch from pipes I understand that it should be vacuum in the black pipe. But there is not vacuum. That's why I can't change the direction of airflow. But it was so difficult to understand where this main vacuum line (black pipe) comes from (from under dashboard or from engine). Answer me please if you will deside your problem.
Sorry for my English. I'm from Russia.

Hello 4cylmys!
Do you know where the main vacuum line is comes from? From Engine or from blower motor? I have the same problem like cway77. Where should I seek the begining of this black vacuum line?
Sorry for my English. I'm from Russia.